According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, poor spleen function can be indicated by symptoms like bruising easily, edema, a swollen pale tongue with tooth marks, and others. Not only is the spleen an important organ in Chinese medicine, it is connected to the stomach and, ultimately, your diet and stress levels. If you think your spleen needs some tender loving care, be sure to read on.
The spleen, along with every organ in the human body, has a partner organ in Traditional Chinese Medicine. These organ pairs are often referred to as a Zang Fu pair. For the Earth element, this pair is the spleen and stomach. Although the stomach can be diagnosed pathologically in TCM, it is more common to see disruptions with the spleen.
Although the Spleen isn’t talked about greatly in Western Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine places a lot of emphasis on it and its role in digestion, ability to control blood, and form qi. The spleen is most commonly affected by one’s diet and by liver disharmony, usually resulting from stress. Stress hormones direct blood away from the digestive system to the brain and muscles and can result in a variety of digestive symptoms especially when stress is experienced often, even in small amounts. Acupuncture and herbal therapy help to facilitate the production of qi, regulate digestion, regulate blood circulation, and soothe the liver to promote good spleen function.
Signs that your spleen could use some help include:
- fatigue
- diarrhea
- prolapse
- bloating
- poor appetite
- edema
- menstrual irregularities
- over thinking
- random bruising
- constant cravings for sweets
- a swollen pale tongue with tooth marks along the sides
There are a few simple things that you can start doing immediately to give your spleen the break it deserves…
How to help your spleen:
- avoid eating too much cold food
- sit down and slow down while eating
- avoid deep fried and fatty foods
- avoid irregular eating patterns including fad diets
- Most importantly: listen to your body! If you are feeling run-down and fatigued, it’s time to rest and recharge. Drinking another cup of coffee and powering through every day may seem necessary–until you are facing a serious health crisis. So take a break when you feel fatigued and try to listen to the signs your body is giving you.
By following these simple tips for improved spleen health, you should be able to help your spleen function better, which will help your stomach function better, which should lead you to better overall health.